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A hefty set of jumper cables was needed to restart the stalled

recruitment engine in Florida from 2008. Earlier this year, the Florida

High Tech Corridor popped the hood and stood alongside partners

throughout the Corridor region to help create a necessary spark.

“It was time to take a big step forward in helping high

tech industry continue to grow locally,” said Randy

Berridge, president of The Corridor. “The Great Recession

stopped progress for a few years, but recently companies

have been posting more and more wanted ads, startups

are expanding outside of coffee shops and venture

capital trends as a hot topic among local entrepreneurs.

The steps being taken to mitigate these problems could

use a boost – thus Career Expo 2016.”

The Corridor’s Career Expo 2016 brought together career center

professionals from the nation’s top universities and local business

representatives for two days of networking in an effort to place

graduates with tech degrees in the region. Hosted at the Orange

County Convention Center, career center professionals were

introduced to what the 23-county region has to offer tech grads and

were asked to consider referring companies in the region when top

talent is looking for a job.

“I used to live in Orlando and I’m always

glad to come home to see such a thriving

economy,” said Melanie Parker, executive

director of Massachusetts Institute of

Technology Global Education and Career

Development. “The Corridor is certainly a

region I look to when placing MIT grads.”

Joining MIT, representatives from Purdue, the

University of Pennsylvania, Duke, Carnegie

Melon and others discussed potential recruits

with local corporate leaders including

Lockheed Martin, EA SPORTS and Northrop

Grumman, plus small businesses, such as,

Coastal Cloud in Palm Coast and ReliaQuest

in Tampa.

“I live on the beach and work in the cloud,”

said Tim Hale, Coastal Cloud co-founder.

“That’s what I’m selling when we recruit talent.

Florida is a great state for technology careers,

but it’s also great for work-life balance. Career

Expo helps me share that message and fill

open positions.”

Hale delivered a key note address to more

than 100 attendees highlighting the benefits

specia l sect ion

GAME CHANGER

florida.HIGH.TECH 2016 75

GAME CHANGERof working in the tech industry on the coast.

His company employs a flexible schedule and

expects employees to find fulfillment in their

ability to work and play.

‘Work and play’ is often a key

message when recruiting companies

to the state. Florida enjoys a strong

business climate that comes as an

advantage for business owners

and a reasonable cost of living for

employees. ‘Playing’ in Florida runs

the gamut from fun in the sun to

delectable dinners with a growing

importance on foodie culture.

The important work of recruitment is in full swing

because Florida has and will have jobs to fill.

According to the 2015- 2018 Florida & Metro

Forecast, that state’s labor market is expected

to grow 2.2 percent in 2016 and 2 percent in

2017. While the percentages seem minimal,

Florida has outpaced the nation’s job growth

rate since 2012 and is expected to continue outpacing the nation

through 2018 at an average of .7 points.

“The Great Recession and loss of the shuttle program had a big

impact on the Space Coast,” said Lynda Weatherman, president

& CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s

Space Coast. “With the foresight and leadership of many in the

region, we were able to navigate the situation, utilize our existing

high-skilled workforce and attract a diverse talent pool adding

to our robust business climate. Our work over the past five years

has resulted in over 7,000 new jobs signifying more growth in the

Space Coast and more jobs to fill.”

Career Expo served as a blip on the radar screen to many who

are responsible to find job opportunities for graduates. While

Florida universities consistently feed the local high tech talent

pool, the need grows bigger than what can be fulfilled in the

state. Partnerships with career center professionals across the

nation are partnerships in high tech jobs.

“Our students may not always want to stay in New York upon

graduation and participating in Career Expo helped provide

a link to Florida companies for more options,” said Gary Alan

Miller, executive director of Hofstra University Career Center.

“Connections in video gaming and digital entertainment, in

particular, were well worth the trip and we look forward to

referring more students to Florida in the future.”

recruiting together